MISAWA AIR BASE, Japan -- The Office of Special Investigations (OSI) Detachment 623 and the 35th Security Forces Squadron (SFS) teamed up with 35th Civil Engineering Squadron (CES) Explosive Ordnance Disposal (EOD) to simulate an investigation of an explosive ordnance at Misawa Air Base, Japan, July 8, 2021.

The training consisted of three scenarios led by U.S. Air Force Staff Sgt. Tyrone Powell, 35th CES EOD journeyman.

During the immediate action scenario, the EOD team blasts water on a dummy improvised explosive device (IED) to detonate it rendering the scene safe. Afterwards, OSI and SFS members can enter the scene to document any evidence that was left behind.

For the precision shot scenario, EOD shot a clay projectile precisely targeting the triggering mechanism of the ordnance to reduce the chance of detonation.

As part of the post-blast scenario EOD detonated a C-4 explosive so the investigators could practice gathering evidence in the aftermath of an explosion.

“We don't expect that this type of event would happen on this base,” said Special Agent Kaprice Montecalvo, OSI Investigations Collections and Operating Nexus (ICON) Center Det 1 forensic science consultant, Yokota Air Base, Japan. “This is knowledge that OSI and SFS members are going to carry with them when they go to a new base or when they deploy. So, when it does occur, they're more familiar with the types of capabilities EOD and the Air Force has, and who they might reach out to assist in their investigation. It also shows us how we fit in that puzzle of how to respond and what we bring to the fight.”

OSI investigates federal crimes related to the Air Force. Detachment 623 members conducted annual training on photography and crime scene processing with an OSI forensic scientist from Yokota Air Base, Japan. The team practiced post-blast procedures this year.

The 35th CES EOD flight’s mission is to clear hazards by locating, identifying and neutralizing explosive ordnances in order for base operations to continue, especially during wartime. Because OSI needs evidence from both the scene and ordnance to find the perpetrator, working with EOD ensures each team can deconflict while still completing their respective missions.

“It's beneficial to both agencies to see what our capabilities are because if we don't get that kind of training when something actually happens, then we're not really going to know what to do,” said Powell. “We don't want to show up on scene and contaminate the evidence, and then all of a sudden, that person can't get prosecuted because something was messed up, so it really does help to do this beforehand.”